1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
In a year that has already witnessed Kendrick Lamar scoop up five more Grammys (total so far: 22) and captivate – or agitate – a record-setting 133 million viewers during his Super Bowl halftime performance, the Grand National Tour with co-headliner SZA continues his leap to superstardom.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Although Rodgers was agitated when the Packers used the 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft on Love — and eventually held out in the summer of 2021 — there was never any bad blood between the two quarterbacks.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Are there certain external factors or stimuli that are more likely to agitate someone with dementia?
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Stop the Chop, a group organized to reduce helicopter noise, has been agitating for several years to ban nonessential helicopters from flying over the New York metropolitan area.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Although Rodgers was agitated when the Packers used the 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft on Love — and eventually held out in the summer of 2021 — there was never any bad blood between the two quarterbacks.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Are there certain external factors or stimuli that are more likely to agitate someone with dementia?
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Stop the Chop, a group organized to reduce helicopter noise, has been agitating for several years to ban nonessential helicopters from flying over the New York metropolitan area.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Cook, stirring constantly until clear and thickened.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
13 May 2025
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Promoting Marina without discussing it with him first makes Lara look like she’s known about Marina’s greatness all along, without giving the captain credit for stirring the department in the right direction.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Verb
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These days, there’s no shortage of packable, lightweight sleeping pads to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your slumber on your next backpacking trip.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
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Both of these albums were born at a time when outside factors disturbed their peace.—
Alex Gonzalez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 contestant Phoenix's drama with Ice Spice must've stirred too much after the season 3 queen clapped back against the guest judge's Main Stage critiques about her icon status, but the Drag Race OG hopes the rapper isn't too shaken in the aftermath.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
17 May 2025
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Stewart is among several traffic controllers on trauma leave, including some who were shaken by the blackouts, which left them unable to talk to planes or see where they were located.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
Verb
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An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss operational details, said that some ground troops had begun to advance in Gaza, but declined to say when, where or how far.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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But social media is full of media personalities and onlookers discussing the Combs trial with the timbre of a gossip blogger recounting a Real Housewives episode.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The extraordinary source material is a profound inspiration to build a unique world that vibrates with life and death at the same time.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
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Many ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers—humidifiers that vibrate to make mist—can lower water mineralization and bacterial growth.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The House Ways and Means Committee debated House Republicans' broad tax plan.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Social Media Reacts Posters on the Reddit forum r/TSA debated whether people should have been prepared for the change.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Critics suggested that Johnson timed the announcement to distract from the fact that he’d just been fined for attending a party in defiance of his own COVID restrictions, though the policy had been months in the making.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
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These lingering to-dos consume mental energy, distract our focus, and elevate stress.—
Luciana Paulise,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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